For last year's Sheboygan Lutheran/Kohler/Christian football team, putting up points wasn't an issue. Preventing opponents from doing the same? That was a different matter.

After years of utilizing a 4-4 defense, Crusaders coach Matt Zavada brought in former Sheboygan Falls head football Mike Nikson to instill a change to a 3-3 look, something Zavada said he thinks will benefit the co-op when it comes to moving up the Central Lakeshore Conference standings.

Additionally, practices have been structured differently, something Zavada credits with having changed the team's culture and overall effectiveness when it comes to utilizing time and building a knowledge base.

"We had to make a change, and it comes down to the type of kids we have," Zavada said. "We are not very big, not extremely physical, so with 3-3 defense it helps our kids out and it's a very good pressure defense and it matches (our skill set) very well.

"The kids understand what we are doing and we are matched right for what we are doing with this program."

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(Photo: Gary C. Klein/Sheboygan Press Media)

While this year's squad is once again young, those who have come out for the Crusaders have plenty of game experience after playing most of the minutes en route to a 1-8 overall record and 0-5 finish in the CLC.

Caleb Kelley, the Crusaders' senior running back who netted 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago while averaging 6.1 yards per carry, is one of five returning starters on offense.

Receiver Michael Chorowicz, who set school marks with 36 catches for 500 yards and six touchdowns, is hoping to be even better in his junior campaign.

Looking to get him the ball will be sophomore quarterback Brayden Van Ess.

On defense, six starters return for the team that had some growing pains in its first season back from competing in eight-man football.

Only two seniors will be on the co-op's opening night roster.

"We pride ourselves on having smart kids and they are picking things up faster than what we thought they would. With the new coaches, we are gelling and it has been good," Zavada said. "These guys are getting good experience in practice and in my seven years of being coach here, we are further along now with this group than I have been with any other group."